Are you expecting a child and worried about your history of anxiety or depression?
Do you have a parent or sibling that struggled with postpartum depression or anxiety?
Did you struggle to adjust to the postpartum period with your previous child and you want to make sure your next postpartum experience is better?
Are you worried about how you or your partner will adjust to bringing a baby home?
You’re accomplished, organized, prepared in every area of your life, but you are really unsure about the postpartum adjustment period. Perhaps you’ve been down this road before with postpartum depression or anxiety, or you’ve been told you’re at higher risk because of a family or personal history. Maybe you’re relationship needs a tune up and you want to be sure you and your partner are the best possible parents. You don’t want to wait until their is a problem to get help. You like to be prepared and make sure you’re ready for whatever comes your way. If so, our pregnancy/postpartum wellness package was designed with you in mind.
So many new parents say, “Nobody told me it would be this hard!” Many pregnant and expecting parents wonder, “Where will I turn for help if I do feel depressed or anxious after birth?” Trying to find a therapist, prescriber, or other professional support in the sleepy, chaotic postpartum period can be a daunting task. By setting up your wellness package today, you can spend time preparing yourself and your relationship for the postpartum period and be prepared with scheduled support after birth.
Having a Newborn is About to Rock Your World
The vast majority of parents find the postpartum period challenging in a multitude of ways, from sleepless nights to relationship strain to meddling mother-in-laws, there is a whole new world to navigate. You will be enraptured by your beautiful new baby, but you might also be anxious and unsure how to navigate this new role. Many couples find that they need time and support to hit a rhythm as new parents despite having a great relationship pre-baby. Many new parents feel overwhelmed by the conflicting advice from professionals, friends and families. They want to trust their own instincts, but they’ve never done this before. Most parents will tell you how scary it was to walk out of the hospital with their newborn….How can the doctors let me take this fragile little person home?!
If you’re a realist and know that this period is going to be an adjustment for you, pat yourself on the back. You’re going to be a great parent because you’re trying to figure out how to be ready BEFORE the stress and changes come your way. We know that preparing for mental wellness now will pay off for you and your new family down the road.
You Can Rock this New Parent Gig
You don’t have to go into new parenting blind. You can plan to protect your sleep and sanity, whether navigating this adventure on your own or with a loving partner. With our wellness package, your mental health plan will set you up for success as a new parent. You (and your partner) will meet with one of our trained clinicians to discuss your hopes and fears, assess your personal strengths and challenges, and plan for a successful transition to parenthood. We’ll talk about what works to reduce the stress of postpartum adjustment, how to detect signs of postpartum mood issues, and what you can do today and in the future to safeguard your mental health.
You’ve probably come up with a birth plan, but does your plan address your own mental health needs? There is nothing like having a baby to bring up your challenges with your parental relationships, your deep insecurities, and your anxious tendencies. Your wellness package includes six sessions that never expire. We generally recommend two pre-baby sessions and four post-birth sessions, but we will discuss your specific needs when we meet for the initial assessment. We can help you incorporate mental health into your birth plan, making sure you’ve planned for the bumps that will inevitably be part of the postpartum adjustment. You would never give birth without planning for the health of your baby the moment he or she enters the world! You shouldn’t be giving birth without planning for your own mental health needs as well.
We’ll stay connected with you from pregnancy through the postpartum period, with post-birth sessions scheduled before baby arrives. We’ll check in with your periodically and be ready to follow up as soon as baby arrives. Your post-birth sessions will assess for postpartum anxiety and depression, adjustment and relationship challenges, and infant bonding needs. Whatever is going on for you specifically will be the focus of your scheduled sessions. You’ll have access to our full range of expertise in our therapist tool kit, including Interpersonal Psychotherapy, EMDR, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and more. No need to search for a therapist that’s a good fit- you will have your therapist and sessions already in place as soon as your little one arrives. If everything is going well, we’ll use those sessions to work on how to help your relationship with your baby blossom over the coming months and years. If things are a bit challenging, we can continue in weekly or bi weekly treatment as long as you need. Our services are generally only available in office or by telehealth, but our wellness package includes the option of in-home sessions to make sure you’re mental health stays a priority.
I already have a doula / pediatrician / lactation consultant lined up. Do I really need a mental health provider?
We love doulas, lactation consultants, pediatricians, obstetricians and sleep consultants. They all serve a vital purpose in the birthing sphere and we’re so glad you found somebody that’s the right fit for you. Each of these providers have specialized training in their area of expertise and so do we. We’re mental health experts, for parents and babies. You wouldn’t ask your newborn photographer to perform your six-week check up after birth. Don’t ask your doula to be your therapist. We have the expertise not only to assess for mental health needs but to provide the care you need to feel your best in pregnancy and after birth.
My pediatrician will assess for postpartum depression. Isn't that enough?
Most likely, you’ll take a few postpartum depression screenings after birth. You may or may not ever have a conversation with your provider about the results of those screenings. Even worse, many providers don’t ask new parents (including Dads) how they are feeling, coping, and adjusting. What happens when you screen positive or borderline for postpartum depression? Many providers have a weak or non-existent list of referrals to providers who many have never treated postpartum depression. And rarely do birthing providers screen for relationship problems, meaning many couples suffer relationship distress without any couples counseling.
What if I'm too busy or tired to talk right after birth and I don't use my sessions?
As long as our doors are open, we’ll honor your six wellness package sessions. Postpartum mood disorders can arise anytime within a year of birth and we want you to reach out even if you didn’t need those sessions in week one, two , or twelve. Most parents will find some part of the postpartum and parenting experience out of their comfort zone. Even if your child is two years old and struggling with separation anxiety, we’ll honor any remaining sessions. As long as your mental health need is within our area of expertise, we’re here for you. If for any reason, you do not want to use your sessions, we will happily refund you the remainder of your package fee after deducting the full fee for the sessions you have used. There is never any obligation to continue to use our services.
It truly takes a village...
It truly takes a village to raise children. We want to be part of your village and make sure you’re fully prepared for mental wellness before, during, and after birth. Through our own experiences having children, we know how much prevention and planning can make a world of difference in the postpartum period. Healthy parents raise healthy kids and mental health is a huge part of overall wellness! Please contact us today to schedule your pregnancy and postpartum wellness package intake. We can’t wait to meet your newest addition!
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